This October 3–5, my wife Steph and I will be in Cannes for the Summit for Entrepreneurs & Leaders, hosted by the French Riviera Institute. It’s an inspiring three-day gathering of Christian leaders from across Europe and around the world—entrepreneurs, investors, creatives, and apostolate leaders—who are deeply committed to advancing the Gospel in every corner of culture.
This mission is closely aligned with the Napa Institute, and over the years have been encouraging its growth. John Meyer, the former Executive Director, and I helped organize three Napa Institute conferences in Europe—held in Regensburg, Vienna, and Rome—to connect with Catholic influencers on the continent. Through those efforts, it became clear that a Napa Institute Europe needed to be formed and led by Europeans themselves.
In July 2018, we invited Bishop Dominique Rey from the South of France, along with his collaborators, to attend the Napa Institute Summer Conference. Their enthusiasm was evident, and they began programming shortly after. Although the pandemic paused their progress, they resumed efforts post-COVID and sent a 20-person delegation to the 2024 Summer Conference, including Bishop Rey and French Riviera Institute President Thibault de Saint Vincent.
This falls event will be held in one of the most iconic cities on the Mediterranean, the summit brings together a global network of men and women committed to living their faith boldly in the public square. The French Riviera Institute has created a space where conversations are deep, community is intentional, and the focus is on building a future rooted in Christian witness, innovation, and leadership.
Steph and I are especially looking forward to seeing the work of the Church in Europe—meeting the people on the ground who are renewing culture through business, education, media, and evangelization. So much of our time is spent focused on the needs and opportunities in the United States, but the Church is global, and this summit gives us the chance to step into what God is doing in other parts of the world. We want to learn from leaders who are navigating secularism with hope, clarity, and conviction.
For friends of the Napa Institute, this event in Cannes is a natural extension of the mission we share: to form leaders in faith and reason who can engage the modern world with courage and truth. Many of the same values—orthodoxy, excellence, community, and mission—are deeply embedded in the DNA of the French Riviera Institute. We’re excited to meet like-minded Catholics and Christians from across Europe who are building the future of the Church with creativity and zeal.
The summit will include talks, panels, and roundtable discussions with thought leaders and missionaries who are actively shaping the spiritual and cultural landscape of their countries. There will be time for prayer and reflection, but also space to collaborate, exchange ideas, and form partnerships across borders. It’s a reminder that we are not alone in this work—and that there is a growing movement of believers who are ready to invest in the next generation of Catholic leadership worldwide.
We’d love to see other Napa Institute friends join us in Cannes. It’s a chance to strengthen old friendships, forge new ones, and take part in a mission that extends far beyond any single country. There is so much happening in Europe right now that deserves our attention—and our prayerful support.
We’re grateful for this opportunity to be part of something so impactful. We hope you’ll consider joining us for this extraordinary gathering with FRI!
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